Kori Ellis
11-08-2004, 01:50 AM
Spurs fall hard in Seattle
Web Posted: 11/08/2004 12:00 AM CST
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA110804.1D.BKNspurs.gamer.35cf59fd.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
SEATTLE — Midway through the third quarter Sunday night, Malik Rose made the unfortunate decision to slide in front of Danny Fortson, Seattle's generously-listed 260-pound forward.
For his bravery, Rose received a foul and a personal introduction to the KeyArena court. With Rose lying face-down, Tim Duncan took a step backward and tripped over his teammate, landing with a thud on his rear end as the 15,851 fans in attendance laughed.
It was that kind of night for Duncan and the Spurs. They delivered a pratfall of a performance as Seattle routed them 113-94.
"I thought we played like we assumed like we would win the game," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "It was very disappointing. I thought we played soft. I thought we played with an arrogance."
If so, the Spurs certainly left humbled. Only once in the previous two seasons have they allowed more points. The Sonics shot 50.6 percent and received 27 points from Rashard Lewis and 24 more from Ray Allen.
"It's just the third game of the season," Tony Parker said, "and obviously we didn't bring the energy tonight."
Duncan, in particular, never found his rhythm. He totaled 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, but missed 12 of 16 shots and committed five turnovers. The only place he did look comfortable, surprisingly enough, was the free-throw line, where he went 9 of 10. He threw up one third-quarter bank shot that appeared to miss the rim completely.
"It was just a bad day," Duncan said. "A bad day. All they did was stay in front of me. I just couldn't make shots."
On Sunday, Duncan wasn't even the best player wearing No. 21. That honor belonged to Fortson, who bulldozed his way through the Spurs for 15 points and 13 rebounds.
In addition to Fortson, who stands 6-foot-8 and appears almost as wide, starting power forward Reggie Evans and center Jerome James gave the Sonics a blue-collar effort.
"I thought this team tonight outworked San Antonio," Sonics coach Nate McMillan said. "Anytime you work, it doesn't guarantee you a win, but it gives you a great opportunity to win ballgames."
The Spurs wouldn't argue. After handling Sacramento and the Los Angeles Lakers fairly easily in their first two games, they can now put a hold on those River Walk parade plans. An 82-0 season, it seems, was too much to ask.
The Sonics, allegedly stuck in rebuilding mode, were only four days removed from a season-opening 30-point loss to Los Angeles' other team. They beat Atlanta on Friday, but that did little to calm some of the locals.
Sunday's edition of the Seattle Times featured six letters to the editor criticizing either Sonics owner Howard Schultz or other members of management. "Dear Howard Schultz:" began one missive, "Take your share of the profits and leave professional basketball."
Well, if nothing else, they cared enough to write.
Popovich, meanwhile, lamented his own team's passion.
"Seattle played really fine basketball, fun basketball, hard basketball," he said. "They outplayed us every way a team can outplay somebody."
Duncan clanged an open 19-footer on the Spurs' first possession and the evening got worse from there. After watching Allen drill a 3-pointer over Devin Brown in the second quarter, Popovich jumped out of his seat and yelled to everyone sitting on the bench, "You know he can shoot! Make him a driver!"
Parker, who matched Manu Ginobili's output with 21 points, gave the Spurs a brief charge in the third quarter. He scored eight-consecutive points, taking the ball to the rim each time. Brent Barry followed with a 3-pointer to cut the Sonics' lead to 66-60.
The Spurs' fun, however, ended there. Allen buried a 14-footer at the shot-clock buzzer, Parker missed a 3-pointer, Allen hit again from 15 feet and Rose committed an offensive foul. After Sonics forward Nick Collison got a fortunate bounce from the rim, the Spurs' deficit grew to a dozen points.
Seattle expanded its lead to as much as 21 as Duncan watched the final two minutes from the bench, head in his hands.
"He's going to be fine," Parker said. "He'll come back strong next game and life goes on.
"I'm not even worried. It was just one of those nights. Nothing went right."
Web Posted: 11/08/2004 12:00 AM CST
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA110804.1D.BKNspurs.gamer.35cf59fd.html
Johnny Ludden
Express-News Staff Writer
SEATTLE — Midway through the third quarter Sunday night, Malik Rose made the unfortunate decision to slide in front of Danny Fortson, Seattle's generously-listed 260-pound forward.
For his bravery, Rose received a foul and a personal introduction to the KeyArena court. With Rose lying face-down, Tim Duncan took a step backward and tripped over his teammate, landing with a thud on his rear end as the 15,851 fans in attendance laughed.
It was that kind of night for Duncan and the Spurs. They delivered a pratfall of a performance as Seattle routed them 113-94.
"I thought we played like we assumed like we would win the game," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "It was very disappointing. I thought we played soft. I thought we played with an arrogance."
If so, the Spurs certainly left humbled. Only once in the previous two seasons have they allowed more points. The Sonics shot 50.6 percent and received 27 points from Rashard Lewis and 24 more from Ray Allen.
"It's just the third game of the season," Tony Parker said, "and obviously we didn't bring the energy tonight."
Duncan, in particular, never found his rhythm. He totaled 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks, but missed 12 of 16 shots and committed five turnovers. The only place he did look comfortable, surprisingly enough, was the free-throw line, where he went 9 of 10. He threw up one third-quarter bank shot that appeared to miss the rim completely.
"It was just a bad day," Duncan said. "A bad day. All they did was stay in front of me. I just couldn't make shots."
On Sunday, Duncan wasn't even the best player wearing No. 21. That honor belonged to Fortson, who bulldozed his way through the Spurs for 15 points and 13 rebounds.
In addition to Fortson, who stands 6-foot-8 and appears almost as wide, starting power forward Reggie Evans and center Jerome James gave the Sonics a blue-collar effort.
"I thought this team tonight outworked San Antonio," Sonics coach Nate McMillan said. "Anytime you work, it doesn't guarantee you a win, but it gives you a great opportunity to win ballgames."
The Spurs wouldn't argue. After handling Sacramento and the Los Angeles Lakers fairly easily in their first two games, they can now put a hold on those River Walk parade plans. An 82-0 season, it seems, was too much to ask.
The Sonics, allegedly stuck in rebuilding mode, were only four days removed from a season-opening 30-point loss to Los Angeles' other team. They beat Atlanta on Friday, but that did little to calm some of the locals.
Sunday's edition of the Seattle Times featured six letters to the editor criticizing either Sonics owner Howard Schultz or other members of management. "Dear Howard Schultz:" began one missive, "Take your share of the profits and leave professional basketball."
Well, if nothing else, they cared enough to write.
Popovich, meanwhile, lamented his own team's passion.
"Seattle played really fine basketball, fun basketball, hard basketball," he said. "They outplayed us every way a team can outplay somebody."
Duncan clanged an open 19-footer on the Spurs' first possession and the evening got worse from there. After watching Allen drill a 3-pointer over Devin Brown in the second quarter, Popovich jumped out of his seat and yelled to everyone sitting on the bench, "You know he can shoot! Make him a driver!"
Parker, who matched Manu Ginobili's output with 21 points, gave the Spurs a brief charge in the third quarter. He scored eight-consecutive points, taking the ball to the rim each time. Brent Barry followed with a 3-pointer to cut the Sonics' lead to 66-60.
The Spurs' fun, however, ended there. Allen buried a 14-footer at the shot-clock buzzer, Parker missed a 3-pointer, Allen hit again from 15 feet and Rose committed an offensive foul. After Sonics forward Nick Collison got a fortunate bounce from the rim, the Spurs' deficit grew to a dozen points.
Seattle expanded its lead to as much as 21 as Duncan watched the final two minutes from the bench, head in his hands.
"He's going to be fine," Parker said. "He'll come back strong next game and life goes on.
"I'm not even worried. It was just one of those nights. Nothing went right."